The twice-capped forward, best-known for a handful of appearances with VfL Wolfsburg, has joined the Colorado Rapids after a trial. Hill previously trialed with the San Jose Earthquakes of MLS in addition to a trial with FC Brasov of Romania.

Per MLS convention, it’s undetermined if this was an unannounced lottery, an allocation signing, or discovery signing.

All of these were interesting, but none seemed deserving of its own story.

Kamani Hill, on trial with Brasov of Romania, played in an exhibition against SC Braga. Hill (who seems to have dropped his last name in Portugal, I recall seeing him listed as “Kamani” in some reserve match reports with Vitória Guimarães) came on in the 65th minute of a scoreless match that Brasov eventually lost 2-0. Brasov will be in Portugal until July 16 (I can’t determine from their site, but it seems likely that they will play another exhibition or two). With Hill already residing in Portugal, his trial is likely to cease when the team leaves Portugal. If he is extended a deal, the Romanian league kicks on July 22.

According to the indispensable Brian Sciaretta at Yanks Abroad, U-20 goalkeeper Cody Cropper is on the verge of signing a one-year professional deal with Ipswich Town. He’ll likely start as the number three keeper behind Hungary international Márton Fülöp and frequently-used backup Arran Lee-Barrett, but it’s a nice place to be for a youngster who is still 2013 U-20 eligible.

Kamani Hill, you might recall, was once an up-and-comer. The UCLA product signed with VfL Wolfsburg in 2006 and actually made nine sub appearances in his first year as a professional, earning him a cap in a 4-1 pre-Gold Cup friendly victory over China back in 2007. His career fell off after there, with a year spent with the reserves before eventually being cast off in 2009. He signed with Vitória Guimarães in Portugal’s Primeira Liga (they have a knight for their mascot, not a dolphin like oft-confused Vitória Setúbal) in 2009. He spent some time on loan with Aves of the 2nd division, was released, trialed with local club San Jose Earthquakes, and then returned to Guimarães this year. He did help win a reserve league title and made a cameo bench appearance on May 8. However, he agreed to a buyout for the last year of his deal.

He’s now in Romaania on trial with FC Brasov. The local media seems stricken with his lack of matches (it’s a good thing that Benny Feilhaber did not trial there in 2009). Brasov’s moment of glory would either have been finishing as league runners-up in 1960 (Steaua Bucureşti and Dinamo Bucureşti have always had a Liga I duopoly) or losing to Internazionale Milan in 2001. They also sent striker Marian Ivan to the 1994 World Cup.

And finally, this one is going to be a little be longer than a sentence. Most of you are probably aware of Rise and Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story. You are also probably aware they on Kickstarter trying to get the final funding so the movie can be released to the public. That said, they are in the final stretch (11 days left) and they still need some help, so go pledge some money if you have anything extra laying around. It is a great story and the guys making the movie are some good dudes (yes, I said dudes).

As Matt noted the other day, Kamani Hill was reportedly released by Vitória Guimarães after one season primarily spent on loan in the 2nd division. Much speculation had centered on some training he had done with San Jose of MLS, with the conventional wisdom having the former UCLA Bruin returning stateside to join his hometown(ish) club.

However, according to USA10Kit, Hill is in fact still under contract for 2 more years with Vitoria. Given that new manager Manuel Machado has indicated that Hill isn’t part of his plans, this may leave the 24 year-old attacker stuck entirely: his current club doesn’t want to play him, but they aren’t letting him go for free, and San Jose (and other MLS teams) won’t pay the transfer fee to get him.

It’s a tough break for the Californian, whose career never was able to take off after joining Wolfsburg. He did have two caps in 2007, but he has made just 13 first-time appearances as a professional.

Lost in the shuffle this weekend was that Tony Taylor and Bryan Arguez both started for Estoril on Sunday in a Portuguese League Cup match.

Estoril’s first match in this year’s Taça da Liga (also known as Carlsberg Cup) was against Varzim and ended in a 1-1 draw after Taylor scored the game-tying goal in the 81st minute.

Estoril’s next first round group stage match is next Sunday against Santa Clara.

Staying in Portugal, we posted in one of the link drops last week that Kamani Hill was released by his former club Vitória Guimarães, but the guys at Yanks Abroad were able to talk to him recently about his future.

And finally, Alex Molano looks back at this year’s Milk Cup. He also talks about trying to earn a spot with Dinamo Zagreb’s first team next spring after hopefully impressing with the U-19 squad this fall.